A bit off-topic, yet true.........(long, so be patient!__:-)

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Posted by IGUANA JOE on August 30, 2000 at 17:22:03:

(...some people just dont understand)

I was got into a conversation with someone at a petstore, dont know how, but the subject of reptiles as pets came up, while staring at a skink.
The fella told me how pathetic he viewed lizards as pets.
When i told him about Soni, he gave an imbarassed laugh, but i kept on nicely explaining him what it's like.

Ya see, domestic pets have long served mankind for 1k's if not millions of years. So, a loving respectful relationship with a dog or a cat, or even a ferrett (they are considered domestic) is almost "natural".

Now, what about having an iguana or tegu, or monitor? Yes, they dont 'love' you the way dogs do, do not fetch, protect us to the death, or serve us for many purposes (seeing-eyes, farming, etc.). They are considered slimy (not true), cold-hearted, dirty, stupid (debatable), inexpressive eyes, and ugly (again, debatable).

So what do we see in these scaly monsters? I think that the "WHY" people CHOOSE to take care of an exotic animal, is for 2 reasons:
1. "only 'cause they're cool" (i.e. = stupidity and ignorance)
2. interest/fascination/passion/hobby. (i.e. = actual interest in welfare of the animal).

The latter applies to most of us here in these forums. To reach a point of TRUST and RESPECT with an animal that:
1 it's not a mammal
2 it has not evolved to live among humans
3 show no sign of 'love' the way mammals do

it's just amazing and, as Hatfield put it, MYSTICAL.
To know that you have succeeded in taking care of such a majestic animal, is something to be proud of.
think about it, in the wild, the mortality rate for both young and adult lizard is quiet high in many species, due to hunting, desease, predation, and cannibalism.

My whole family thinks i'm "weird" (in their loving way) by being so fascinated by the "stupid green lizard", but it is such a special feeling and passion to care for these guys, only a few can understand.

Having said that, the guy at the shop was speechless, and nodded in a sort of "i agree" & "you crazy b*st*rd" look, going on his merry way.

Just a piece of my mind i wanted to share, with those who understand, and those i know feel the same way about these magnificent lil' dinosaurs!

(the crowd cheers, the curtains go down, the oscar is nominated.................

thank you!)

Follow Ups:

I agree with you, they grow on ya........ Linda 08/31/00 (0)
I agree with you on these wonderous creatures,,,more cirsisue 08/31/00 (0)
well said! i disagree with one point tho ........ iZ's mom 08/30/00 (0)
So true!......more..... JNelson 08/30/00 (1)
- CONGRATS on the tub poopin! there is not a better feeling, than a tub poo! sue3 08/31/00 (0)

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: (...some people just dont understand) : I was got into a conversation with someone at a petstore, dont know how, but the subject of reptiles as pets came up, while staring at a skink. : The fella told me how pathetic he viewed lizards as pets. : When i told him about Soni, he gave an imbarassed laugh, but i kept on nicely explaining him what it's like. : Ya see, domestic pets have long served mankind for 1k's if not millions of years. So, a loving respectful relationship with a dog or a cat, or even a ferrett (they are considered domestic) is almost "natural". : Now, what about having an iguana or tegu, or monitor? Yes, they dont 'love' you the way dogs do, do not fetch, protect us to the death, or serve us for many purposes (seeing-eyes, farming, etc.). They are considered slimy (not true), cold-hearted, dirty, stupid (debatable), inexpressive eyes, and ugly (again, debatable). : So what do we see in these scaly monsters? I think that the "WHY" people CHOOSE to take care of an exotic animal, is for 2 reasons: : 1. "only 'cause they're cool" (i.e. = stupidity and ignorance) : 2. interest/fascination/passion/hobby. (i.e. = actual interest in welfare of the animal). : The latter applies to most of us here in these forums. To reach a point of TRUST and RESPECT with an animal that: : 1 it's not a mammal : 2 it has not evolved to live among humans : 3 show no sign of 'love' the way mammals do : it's just amazing and, as Hatfield put it, MYSTICAL. : To know that you have succeeded in taking care of such a majestic animal, is something to be proud of. : think about it, in the wild, the mortality rate for both young and adult lizard is quiet high in many species, due to hunting, desease, predation, and cannibalism. : My whole family thinks i'm "weird" (in their loving way) by being so fascinated by the "stupid green lizard", but it is such a special feeling and passion to care for these guys, only a few can understand. : Having said that, the guy at the shop was speechless, and nodded in a sort of "i agree" & "you crazy b*st*rd" look, going on his merry way. : Just a piece of my mind i wanted to share, with those who understand, and those i know feel the same way about these magnificent lil' dinosaurs! : : (the crowd cheers, the curtains go down, the oscar is nominated................. : thank you!)

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